Where opioids are generally unavailable, the definition of palliative care can be problematic. We have taken the view that where a service is in the process of development from (largely) physical care to a broader form of holistic care that approximates to the WHO definition, it should be included in the review.

In resource poor areas, the blending of supportive care with hospice/ palliative care is frequently linked to the development of previously established services, particularly home based care (HBC). Family Health International (FHI) defines home and community based care (HCBC) as “the provision of care and support that endeavours to meet the nursing and psychosocial needs of persons with chronic illnesses and their family members in their home environment”².

While HCBC delivers patient care in the home environment, palliative care is an approach that attends to the needs of patients and families affected by a life threatening illness in a variety of settings including the home, hospice, hospital, clinic and community.

The health repercussions of the AIDS epidemic have been the impetus for introducing care to the chronically ill in Cameroon. Palliative care in the country is almost non-existent.

Cameroon Baptist Convention Health Board

Several HIV/AIDS programmes, including Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission are in place at this rural hospital to provide support to those living with HIV/AIDS. While raising awareness of the epidemic has been prioritised along with coordinating with other support organisations, the need for the development of palliative care in Cameroon was given a boost by the attendance of two delegates at the African Palliative Care Association conference in Arusha.

Some support for the chronically ill is provided by several other organisations in the country. George Mbeng describes the situation in his country:

We have many people in Cameroon who are carrying out support activities. Some of them will have not heard much about palliative care but they think that what they are doing is palliative care. I just thing that going back to tell them the good news about palliative care, what it all involves, will only strengthen their views about support, care and support for people.³